Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Once More with Feeling

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman

10 reviews

jennabeck13's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Genre: Romance

About 395 pages

Years ago, Kathleen’s career as Katee Rose fell apart when news broke that she cheated on her boyfriend, Ryan, with another member of his boy band, Cal. Kathleen and Cal’s history goes further back through theater camp as teens. Cal, Kathleen, and Harriett (her BFF) were thick as thieves and all talented in their own respects. That’s why the crew reconnects. Harriett wrote a musical that she wants Kathleen to star in and Cal to direct. Cal and Kathleen never addressed their blow-up years ago, so while they agree to work together, things start out rough. But the longer they are around one another, the more they remember why they couldn’t help but fall in love all those years ago…

Once More With Feeling was a cute, easy read! While it didn’t blow me away, Sussman’s writing style and the second chance love story kept me invested enough to read within a day. I liked the banter between Cal & Kathleen and loved the use of two timelines! But I also felt like the characters in the “now” portions acted extremely immature at times and like they hadn’t grown up since the “then” portions. My biggest qualm though was that it felt way too similar to Funny You Should Ask, Sussman’s other book, so I knew exactly where we were heading from the beginning… While predictable, it was still a cute story!

Favorite Quote: “I believe in the power of starting anew,” he said. “Every show, every role, every performance, is a chance to start fresh. Every day is a new opportunity for success. I don’t plan on judging anyone for what you did yesterday, or the day before, or the year before.”

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savvyrosereads's review

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funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Katee Rose was a pop sensation—but then a mistake imploded her career. Now, she’s Kathleen Rosenberg, and she finally has the chance to achieve her Broadway dreams…if she can work with the man who once blew up her whole life.

This book just GOT ME. Elissa Sussman’s writing is absolutely gorgeous, and the way she used all of the tropes and themes in this one was so captivating and fun. I laughed, I teared up, I swooned, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself the entire time. In particular, I LOVE how Kathleen is unapologetic about how much she wants the spotlight—a refreshing change of pace from the usual pop star narrative we see in fiction. Also, I’m obsessed with the camp flashback scenes and honestly need someone to write an entire YA theater camp romance right now because, yes. (This probably already exists…if it does and you know about it PLEASE TELL ME.)

I’m frankly not usually a huge second chance romance girlie, but this one handled the trope SO WELL—the characters actually had the chance to really develop their relationship in the “first” timeline, there were legitimate reasons it didn’t/couldn’t work (i.e. not just a frustrating miscommunication), and their reunion felt believable and demonstrated real growth. I want all second chance romances to be like this!

Also, there’s a cat named Gefilte Fish, and honestly that alone should be enough to get you to pick up this book.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: second chance/sort-of-childhood-friends-to-lovers; Broadway/musical theater; plot-and-character-driven hybrids

CW: Misogyny/sexism/body shaming; infidelity

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caitlinjadams's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A fun read and I continue to really like Sussman’s writing. And the Broadway setting played to my tastes!

I did find myself wishing for more of Harriett. She was a more fully formed best friend character than in many romcoms, but not as fully developed as the leads and it left me wanting more because there was clearly more to give.

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carla20's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

the writing is still really good, but I just couldn't connect with the characters like i did in FYSA. Will read anything by Elissa Sussman tho.

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ukponge's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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stormeno's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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summerslittlelibrary's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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analenegrace's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Her acknowledgments started off by saying, "There are few things more tragic than a theater kid who can't sing, dance, or act" and as a former (barely) theater kid who can't sing AT ALL, I felt that, and this book, so much.

I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and

that third-act fight scene

felt necessary to me for Harriet and Kathleen to continue their adult friendship.

My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during

sex with Cal;

women just don't really call them that, in my experience.

All-in-all, a great and fun read!

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booksalacarte's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Once More With Feeling- 3.75⭐️ 3🌶️

A former pop star finds herself back in the spotlight —along with an old flame from her past—in this friends-to-lovers meets enemies-to-lovers story from the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask, the sensational TikTok romance!

Then. Katee Rose is living the dream as America's number one pop star, caught in a whirlwind of sold-out concerts, screaming fans, and constant tabloid coverage. Everyone wants to know everything about her and her boyfriend, Ryan LaNeve, the hottest member of adored boy band CrushZone. Katee loves to perform but hates the impossible demands of stardom. Maybe that's why she finds herself in the arms of another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby. Quiet, serious Cal, who's always been a good friend to Katee, is suddenly Cal with the smoldering eyes and very good hands. One unforgettable night is all it takes to blow up Katee's relationship with Ryan, her career, her whole life...

Now. Kathleen Rosenberg is okay with her ordinary existence, and leaving her pop star image in the past. That is, until Cal Kirby shows up with the opportunity of her dreams—a starring role in the Broadway show he’s directing and a chance to perform the way she’s always wanted. The two haven’t spoken since the joint destruction of their careers, and each of them blames the other, making their reunion a tense battle of wits and egos. Kathleen reluctantly agrees to the musical, as long as she keeps her guard up around Cal. But rehearsals are long, those eyes still smolder, and those hands are still very good. Despite everything, Kathleen can’t deny the chemistry between them. Is it ever a good idea to reignite old flames? Especially if you’ve been burned in the past?

✨My Opinion✨

Well, if it isn’t Britney and Justin… as a second chance romance. Only neither of them are as likable as I would want. Their individual personalities aren’t as flushed out as they could have been. Having more than one example of a character trait, like being a people pleaser or great director, is helpful.

I wish there had been more MC interactions with their cast members. One side character is nicely established, then disappears until the end of the book?

As a musical theatre kid, I loved all the Sondheim references!

It was still a cute book. The tension was great. The plot was good. I adored the reveal at the end!

Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Content Warnings

sdupont's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This one is for the pop girlies! I absolutely loved this book I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting. I found this to be a much stronger and more compelling novel than Funny You Should Ask. This book has all the vibes of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s breakup circa 2003. I loved Kathleen and Cal- individually and together. I easily found myself rooting for their reunion. I appreciated that Elissa Sussman did Kathleen character right by providing context to her career fallout and the injustice of it all. I think the barriers and baggage that Cal and Kathleen had to work through and overcome were really realistic. Same for the friendship between Kathleen and Harriet. I highly recommend that everyone grab this book!

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

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